- UIDAI and Ministry of Education join hands to complete Aadhaar biometric updates for 17 crore school children.
- UDISE+ platform integrated with Aadhaar MBU status to help schools track pending updates.
- MBUs are mandatory at ages 5 and 15 for accuracy of Aadhaar records.
- Biometric updates are critical for accessing Govt schemes, exams, and essential services.
- States and UTs have been urged to conduct targeted school-level MBU camps.
Source: PIB Press Release
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in partnership with the Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education & Literacy, has launched a major initiative to ensure timely Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for school children across India. This drive aims to cover nearly 17 crore Aadhaar numbers pending biometric updates for children aged 5 and 15 years.
The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) is a school education management information system under the Department of School Education & Literacy. It captures statistics related to schools, students, teachers, and infrastructure, enabling data-driven decision-making.
By linking UDISE+ with UIDAI’s Aadhaar update requirements, this initiative is expected to streamline MBU across the education system.
What is MBU in Aadhaar?
Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) refers to the compulsory process of updating a child’s biometric details (fingerprints, iris scans, and photograph) in their Aadhaar record at specific ages.
- The first MBU is required when the child turns 5 years old, as the initial Aadhaar enrollment often happens in infancy when biometrics are not fully developed.
- The second MBU is required at 15 years of age, to ensure accuracy as the child transitions into adulthood.
MBU keeps Aadhaar records reliable for authentication and is essential for accessing government welfare schemes, scholarships, competitive exams, and financial/educational services.
Why is MBU Important for Children?
Children’s Aadhaar needs to be updated twice by parents/guardians to keep the biometric records accurate as they grow:
| Age of Child | Update Type | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Years | First Mandatory Biometric Update | Ensures Aadhaar reflects accurate biometrics after early childhood growth |
| 15 Years | Second Mandatory Biometric Update | Updates biometric data as the child transitions into adulthood |
Timely MBU ensures:
- Smooth Aadhaar authentication for government welfare schemes.
- Hassle-free registration in competitive and university exams like NEET, JEE, CUET, etc.
- Continued access to educational and financial services linked with Aadhaar.
UIDAI CEO Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar has written to all Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories, urging them to support this drive by facilitating school-level update camps.
“It was thought that a camp approach through the schools could help in completing the pending MBUs. The main question was how the schools would know which students have not done the biometric updates. The technology teams of UIDAI and Department of School Education and Literacy, Govt of India have worked together to successfully implement a solution through the UDISE+ application. Now all the schools can have the visibility of the pending MBUs.”
The Problem Being Solved
Many families rush to update Aadhaar biometrics at the last minute, especially before important exams or applications. This creates unnecessary stress and long waiting times at enrollment centers.
“Many times students and parents rush for Aadhaar updates at the last moment leading to anxieties. This can be avoided with timely biometric updates,” the UIDAI statement noted.
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